I have been a Class 1 driver for the past 8 years and have completed my ADR training in tanks and packages last year. (Haven’t used it so far, however.)
Now, I have set the goal for myself to get a job as a fuel tanker driver. I have spent my time visiting the websites of various energy companies and browsing through job adverts, but yet to find a company that would be willing to provide the PDP training or offer employment for drivers lacking tanker experience.
Would any of you who work in this segment of the industry be willing to share a few hints as to how to start off, please? Is there any agency that specialises in providing fuel tanker drivers?
I am based in London by the way. (Within commuting range to Thurrock and Purfleet.)
Firstly I would suggest getting experience driving ADR tankers. Get used to how they handle as well as different ways to load and unload them. Once you have a decent bit of experience on your CV, look at companies like Hoyer, Brit European Reynolds or Certas, as these companies are usually more willing to take people and put them through their PDP. They don’t pay as well as the supermarkets, but it’s a foot in the door to the industry and a pretty good way to start
Mainly start times. Not uncommon to work 4on 4off or 5on 3off, 12 hour days starting at 4am, although the supermarket drivers often start as early as 2am because they think it means they will finish sooner
CookieMonster:
Mainly start times. Not uncommon to work 4on 4off or 5on 3off, 12 hour days starting at 4am, although the supermarket drivers often start as early as 2am because they think it means they will finish sooner
It’s a common misconception that a PDP is essential for fuel tanker drivers, it’s not, you only need it if you go into the refinery. I’ve heard of cases where a company has one or perhaps two PDP holders, they go into the refinery on behalf of the other drivers then swap vehicles/tankers.
CookieMonster:
Mainly start times. Not uncommon to work 4on 4off or 5on 3off, 12 hour days starting at 4am, although the supermarket drivers often start as early as 2am because they think it means they will finish sooner
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What’s brutal about that?
Nothing really, it’s just not for some people apparently [emoji1745]
The Hoyer driver’s that I knew on the Shell contract were on a rotating two week mixture of early , late and nights and to a man were knackered and frankly a danger.
They looked like death warmed up and the salary was not sufficient recompense.
The Hoyer Shell shift pattern is actually quality, although if you’re on a full time contract you won’t be offered either (Shell contract or shift pattern).
You may well get to work on it as an agency driver, but obviously you’re at the mercy of the company to do what they need at the drop of the hat (will be fully trained before undertaking anything new on though).
They’re quite happy to train people up from scratch and like somebody mentioned, it’s a foot in the door to a well paid sector of the industry. Unfortunately, all the legacy contracts are becoming like hen’s teeth so expect to be working harder than others for less money.
That being said, I don’t regret getting into it and it takes something very good to leave it (in my humbleopinion).
Friend of mine who was driving for a supermarket was desperate to get on fuel tanker work, he got his break with Hoyer about 2 years ago and has regretted it ever since, it has broken him and put a huge strain on his marriage due to the long hours and marriage wrecker shift pattern.
He is currently working his notice and cannot wait to leave.
The job is all hype from the past be careful what you wish for it isn’t like the tales you hear in the drivers waiting rooms.
I know a few ex fuel drivers and they all say it was good years ago but very poor now.
Can’t disagree with you about Hoyers current shift pattern, it’s…shocking.
You can look at it another way and recognise that £40-45k for working 6 months in a year is pretty solid. The overtime junkies can get close to £50k even on these newer contracts. If you get onto the supermarkets then £55k+ is achievable.
Guess it just depends if you can toe the line to earn a decent living. The time off kind of makes up for it, working shifts has it’s benefits with a young family that a Monday-Friday can’t offer. Also getting 3-4weeks off in one hit over the summer months is an added bonus.
LisasGuy:
Friend of mine who was driving for a supermarket was desperate to get on fuel tanker work, he got his break with Hoyer about 2 years ago and has regretted it ever since, it has broken him and put a huge strain on his marriage due to the long hours and marriage wrecker shift pattern.
He is currently working his notice and cannot wait to leave.
The job is all hype from the past be careful what you wish for it isn’t like the tales you hear in the drivers waiting rooms.
I know a few ex fuel drivers and they all say it was good years ago but very poor now.
Seems to say more about the backbone of the rank and file and even worse the fact that Unite ? seems to be no better than its hopeless TGWU predessesor.
It needs a minum rota of 2 months on nights/days/earlies/lates not silly rotas swapping swapping shift patterns across weeks.
Also 3 shifts of 8 hours not minimising the labour force with 2 shifts of 12 hours.It’s a sign of the weakness of the modern unions and their members.
I have been a Class 1 driver for the past 8 years and have completed my ADR training in tanks and packages last year. (Haven’t used it so far, however.)
Now, I have set the goal for myself to get a job as a fuel tanker driver. I have spent my time visiting the websites of various energy companies and browsing through job adverts, but yet to find a company that would be willing to provide the PDP training or offer employment for drivers lacking tanker experience.
Would any of you who work in this segment of the industry be willing to share a few hints as to how to start off, please? Is there any agency that specialises in providing fuel tanker drivers?
I am based in London by the way. (Within commuting range to Thurrock and Purfleet.)
Thanks for all the answers.
The best place to find the answers to your questions is on a Facebook page:-
Petrol Tanker Drivers Forum.
You will find lots of drivers asking similar questions and you will get the answers you are looking for.
To load in a Terminal in the South East of the UK you will need a PDP.
I have been a Class 1 driver for the past 8 years and have completed my ADR training in tanks and packages last year. (Haven’t used it so far, however.)
Now, I have set the goal for myself to get a job as a fuel tanker driver. I have spent my time visiting the websites of various energy companies and browsing through job adverts, but yet to find a company that would be willing to provide the PDP training or offer employment for drivers lacking tanker experience.
Would any of you who work in this segment of the industry be willing to share a few hints as to how to start off, please? Is there any agency that specialises in providing fuel tanker drivers?
I am based in London by the way. (Within commuting range to Thurrock and Purfleet.)
Thanks for all the answers.
The best place to find the answers to your questions is on a Facebook page:-
Petrol Tanker Drivers Forum.
You will find lots of drivers asking similar questions and you will get the answers you are looking for.
To load in a Terminal in the South East of the UK you will need a PDP.
Have a look at the Facebook page.
Good Luck.
Thank you very much for recommending this. Incredibly useful information!
the maoster:
Only if they can back it up with some weird Masonic handshake.
Ironically trundling around the local garages with a zb day cab motor doing silly shift patterns.You’d think it would be typical agency fodder crap as bad as if not worse than building deliveries.Except in this case the stuff is a bit more volatile than bricks/blocks and slabs with the lose lose that it still needs handling of heavy hoses.
the maoster:
Only if they can back it up with some weird Masonic handshake.
Ironically trundling around the local garages with a zb day cab motor doing silly shift patterns.You’d think it would be typical agency fodder crap as bad as if not worse than building deliveries.Except in this case the stuff is a bit more volatile than bricks/blocks and slabs with the lose lose that it still needs handling of heavy hoses.
Oh god of course, your poor back moving hoses. My year on the milk tankers crippled me because I had to connect the hoses now and again. So crippingly heavy, I occasionally even needed two hands
the maoster:
Only if they can back it up with some weird Masonic handshake.
Ironically trundling around the local garages with a zb day cab motor doing silly shift patterns.You’d think it would be typical agency fodder crap as bad as if not worse than building deliveries.Except in this case the stuff is a bit more volatile than bricks/blocks and slabs with the lose lose that it still needs handling of heavy hoses.
Sure you will most likely end up driving day cab vehicles, however there are plenty of companies that use sleeper cabs too.
If you want to drive a top end vehicle then Fuel Tankers is not really the place for you.
The shift patterns are varied, with the best patterns no longer available, but 4 on 4 off or 5 on 3 off widely available. These shift patterns have become much more common throughout the Haulage industry and I have seen on this forum that drivers do like those shift patterns. It’s not for everyone.
As for lifting heavy hoses, it’s in all in the technique, which you will be shown during your training.
You will be expected to follow the rules and procedures with checks taking place and for that you will be paid higher than average wages. (In most cases).
